Mp44

[SJP]

I would like some advice on what to do with a fully functional MP44 I inherited

from a family member in 1979. It came with original 200 rnd's .I fired it back in the 80's on full auto and it works just fine

all comments welcome
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Cheers Steve

[bmg17a1]

First issue: is it registered? If so, is it properly registerd to you? If not,is it still registered to your father?
The answer to the registration question will determine everything else about the future of the gun.

[STG44]

First issue: is it registered? If so, is it properly registerd to you? If not,is it still registered to your father?
The answer to the registration question will determine everything else about the future of the gun.

What he said.

[JUNGCO]

If you inherited it, you still have to file paperwork with the BATF. If it was your father's, you would not have to pay the $200 transfer tax.
Jeff

[HENRY BUCKI]

many years

is there any problem with the fact the original owner has been dead for so many years and the form 4 has not been up dated.not sure of the form 4 just asking.mine is with a trust with my son named on the trust also. mp44 and a schnellfeuer

[bmg17a1]

The critical, determining issue with MGs still registered in the name of a deceased owner is finding a person legally eligible to sign the transfer out of the name of the deceased. Many registered MGs are in the possession of people who don’t know who is the registrant since the gun was passed on over the years without it’s paperwork from the original registrant to other people without a legal transfer.
ATF can confirm that a serial number is in the NFRTR but will not divulge the name and address of the registrant without valid official inquiry. People in possession of such NFA are in illegal possession of an MG not registered to them. Without the ID of hte registrant the MG is dead for transfer since there is no person legally eligible to sign the transfer application. There are many variations on this theme and sometimes through research with the person who has the gun an eligible person can be found. Most of the time no one can be found. ATF has been known to work with a person with such an MG if a living close relative can be located. Each situation is very unique and complicated.
A form 4 is only as good as the availability of a person eligible to sign the new transfer application regardless of the age of the form 4, and form 4s don’t become invalid as legal registrations for any reason.

[Tom Kibler]

I recently went through this with a fully operational MP40 (on a Treasury Form 6), registered to my grandfather who passed away in 1983. That weapon was papered as a deactivated weapon - though it was not.


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=906829


There are several REALLY good guys on this forum who can help guide you through the proper steps - if the paperwork is there and all of the "ducks fall in a row".


There are others who will, no doubt, make you a quick-deal offer, to take it off your hands.

[Alan Smith]

Steve,


I have dealt with similar situations a number of times. As others have posted, the first issue is to confirm whether or not the MP44 is registered with federal law enforcement authorities pursuant to the National Firearms Act of 1934 (the "NFA") . Assuming it is registered to your father (or some other person of whom you are a lawful heir), it should be possible to transfer the gun to you or whomever you may elect the gun to go to. So, you have legal issues to address under the federal NFA statute, as well as under applicable state probate/intestate succession law.


BTW: If "West Coast" in you bio means California, that state has very strict laws restricting the possession of NFA items (such as MP44's) to only persons who have obtained a permit from the CA Department of Justice.


As to your 1979 date of inheritance, so far my record "old estate" approved NFA transfer is for a WWII Italian F.N.A.B. 43 sub-machine gun that had been held by the WWII vet's daughter since his death in 1978. Second runner-up for me is an MP40 from the nephew of the WWII vet who passed away in 1982. So, as long as the gun remains in the possession, custody or control of the deceased NFA registrant's lawful heirs, an NFA item from even a decades-old estate can be transferred.


If you want to discuss further, I suggest you shoot me a note at my work e-mail of asmith@bakerdonelson.com. Be sure to put a clear and informative subject line on any e-mail you send; otherwise is will get caught by our spam filter and I might overlook it on the daily junk mail report.


BTW: Have you checked the little trap door found in the MP44's wooden buttstock? I've heard of folks placing a copy of their NFA registration document into this little "hiding place" that is found on MP44's, so you might want to take a look.


Alan Smith
Jackson, MS

[SJP]

Thanks for all the comments.It was never registered to the best of my knowledge and the relative has long since passed on.

Allen, the only paper the buttstock door is the original manual for the weapon.I broken down the piece years ago and have the receiver located elsewhere.i have had several collectors over the years I should just destroy it as it is illegal (which I knew) and can't be sold or licensed ave:

Best wishes to all this Holiday Season
__________________________________________________ ______________
Cheers Steve

[Alan Smith]

Steve,


Perhaps I was not clear in my prior post: Obtaining a conclusive determination (from BATFE) as to whether or not this MP44 is registered per the NFA, as well as offering guidance as to the various options available to you if registered and/or not registered are all issues that I am experienced with. So, if you want to shoot me an e-mail to further discuss these issues off-line, that would be fine.


I have handled plenty of situations where the Registrant's heirs were not in possession of the NFA registration documents and, in fact, the heirs had no idea that their deceased relative had NFA registered the gun many decades earlier. In fact, I have encountered heirs who would swear that "daddy would never register a gun with the Feds", only to find out that the gun was in fact registered by dad many decades earlier.


Alan

[Petroleum 1]

Can this sturm receiver be torched per ATF rules and the parts sold off or is it 100% contraband ??